In a shocking incident from Lucknow, Dr Ruchika Tandon, an associate professor at SGPGIMS, has fallen victim to a cyber scam, losing a staggering Rs 2.81 crore. This elaborate fraud unfolded over seven days, leaving the victim in a state of fear and confusion.
The scam began when Dr Tandon received a call from individuals pretending to be officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The scammers accused her of illegal activities and threatened her with arrest. To make their scam seem more believable, they also impersonated officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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“I received a call in the morning, with the caller introducing himself from TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and told me that my phone will be switched off as per instructions from the police, because several complaints were lodged with Mumbai Cyber Crime cell against my number for harassing messages being sent to people…,” Dr Tandon told PTI (via TOI).
The victim was then connected to someone pretending to be an IPS officer, who falsely accused her of participating in a Rs 7 crore money laundering scheme associated with one of her bank accounts. The impersonator threatened her with immediate arrest and used the intimidating term ‘digital custody’ to create a sense of urgency and fear.
“They then made me talk to a so-called IPS officer, who told me that one of my bank accounts was linked with illegal activities, such as money laundering worth Rs 7 crore. He said he has received orders to arrest me immediately, and if I am unable to go to them, they will take me in ‘digital custody’. They then made me speak to a CBI officer. They also asked me not to tell about it to anyone since this was a matter of national importance…”, added Tandon.
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Under extreme pressure and fearing legal consequences, Dr Tandon complied with the demands, transferring Rs 2.81 crore over a week. The fraudsters kept her isolated, maintaining constant contact.
“If we talk from the point of view of law, there is no such term as ‘digital arrest’, but the modus operandi of cyber criminals today… when the name of a big investigating is cited, people start panicking thinking they have been named in a case. They make the victims download Skype for video calling, in which they can be seen wearing police uniform but don’t show their face and tell that they cannot reveal their identity. They first take all information from the victim and then tell them that they have been arrested, they cannot talk to anyone, not even on phone…” said Ghulam, Investigating Officer, Cyber Police Station Lucknow.
To protect yourself from such scams, be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies or law enforcement. Always verify the identity of the caller through official channels and never share personal or financial information under pressure.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from falling victim to similar cyber fraud schemes:
1. Verify caller identity: Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from a regulatory body or law enforcement agency.
2. Be cautious with personal information: Never share sensitive personal information, such as bank details or social security numbers, over the phone or through email unless you are absolutely sure of the recipient’s identity.
3. Look out for red flags: Be wary of urgent threats or pressure tactics, such as threats of immediate arrest or financial penalties.
4. Educate yourself about common scams: Stay informed about common types of scams and fraud tactics. Awareness can help you recognise suspicious behavior and avoid falling for fraudulent schemes.
5. Report suspicious activity: If you suspect you are being targeted by a scam or have received a suspicious call, report it to the relevant authorities immediately.